Bellingham opens up about Euro 2024 challenges.© (@ThreadmanChaza)
Real Madrid star Jude Bellingham has shared his emotional reflections on England’s disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, admitting he felt like the “scapegoat” for the team’s failure to win the tournament. In a candid interview ahead of Real Madrid’s Champions League match with Liverpool, Bellingham revealed how the intense criticism following the European Championship left him feeling mistreated despite his significant contributions.
Bellingham’s Euro 2024 journey included standout moments for England, including scoring the opening goal in a 1-0 win over Serbia and providing a last-minute equaliser in a 2-2 draw with Slovakia, which kept Gareth Southgate’s side alive in the tournament. However, after England’s 2-1 defeat to Spain in the final, the midfielder found himself at the centre of scrutiny, with many accusing the team of playing too conservatively throughout the competition. Bellingham, in particular, became the target of what he described as a “pile on” from critics.
“I lost my smile a lot playing for England after the Euros as I felt I was a little mistreated compared to what I contributed,” Bellingham admitted. “The smile is back now, but it felt harsh on me at the time. I felt a bit like the scapegoat. Maybe I felt a bit sorry for myself. I felt I contributed some pretty big moments, but the whole world was crumbling down on me, especially in the three days after the final. It wasn’t a nice feeling.”
Bellingham also addressed reports that he had refused to speak to the media during the tournament, which sparked speculation about his attitude. He clarified that his decision stemmed from personal circumstances, not from arrogance. “I had some personal things going on where journalists had gone to see members of my family while I was at the tournament, my grandparents,” he explained. “I don’t think that’s fair; it crosses the line of respect. That’s where I took it a little personally and decided I would focus on the football and let that do the talking instead of talking in the press to people who seemingly don’t respect me.”
Bellingham shared the impact of the media’s behaviour on his family, particularly his grandmother, who struggled with attention. “My family comes first – my nan didn’t want to leave her house for the whole summer. Maybe I should have communicated that so people understood my situation, but that was a little bit more personal to me, so I decided to keep my mouth shut.”
As the new season unfolds, Jude Bellingham has had a strong start with Real Madrid, although the team has struggled to keep pace with La Liga leaders Barcelona. Despite these challenges, Bellingham’s impact on the field remains vital. He has netted two goals and provided four assists in 14 games across all competitions. This follows an impressive debut season with Madrid, where he scored 14 goals in his first 15 games.
Although Bellingham missed England’s opening Nations League matches following Euro 2024, he has been a regular starter since, including playing a pivotal role in England’s 5-0 victory over the Republic of Ireland earlier this month, which secured promotion to League A of the Nations League. The performance marked a return to form, with Bellingham setting up three goals in a comprehensive win.
Bellingham’s impressive displays at club and international level have not gone unnoticed. In the 2024 Ballon d’Or voting, he finished third behind his Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Junior and Manchester City’s Rodri, further cementing his status as one of football’s brightest young stars. Despite Bellingham’s challenges after Euro 2024, he has now found his confidence again and continues performing at the highest level for Real Madrid and England.
